Meet Derrick Werlé

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Derrick Werlé. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Derrick, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Drawing Inspiration from All Art Forms: Lessons from Rostropovich

I vividly recall attending a masterclass with the legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. As I accompanied a cellist on the piano, Rostropovich shared profound insights on the wellsprings of creativity.

He emphasized that being a musician requires a deep understanding of human emotion. To achieve this, he advised us to immerse ourselves in various forms of human expression beyond music. Rostropovich encouraged us to:
– Attend theatrical performances
– Visit museums to appreciate paintings and sculptures
– Read literature unrelated to music
– Reflect on childhood memories
– Observe and engage in everyday human interactions

Rostropovich believed that these diverse experiences fuel our creative reservoirs, allowing inspiration to flow when we need to create music. His wisdom has served me well throughout my career.

Even physical activities contribute to artistic growth. Engaging in sports heightens my bodily awareness, helping me understand the intricate connection between mind, body, and emotion.

Ultimately, Rostropovich’s message was clear: being a musician means embracing the fullness of the human experience. It’s about cultivating a rich inner world that informs and elevates our art—this is how I keep my creativity alive.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Bridging Composition and Orchestration: My Journey in Film Music

As a composer and orchestrator, I straddle two interconnected worlds of music creation. While I compose original pieces, a significant part of my work involves orchestrating music written by others. But what exactly is orchestration?

Orchestration is the art of transforming a musical composition, often originally written for a single instrument like the piano, into a full orchestral arrangement. This process breathes new life into the original piece, expanding its sonic palette and emotional depth.

In the realm of film music, my role as an orchestrator takes on additional dimensions. I frequently transcribe MIDI data provided by composers into traditional sheet music. This crucial step allows us to record with live musicians, adding an irreplaceable human touch to the soundtrack. What you hear in most modern film scores is a carefully crafted blend of computer-generated sounds from virtual instruments and performances by live musicians.

Films I Worked on with Hans Zimmer

During my time at Remote Control Productions, I had the privilege of contributing to several notable films alongside Hans Zimmer, including:
DreamWorks’ “Boss Baby”
Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk”
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”
BBC’s “Blue Planet II”
These projects allowed me to hone my skills in both composition and orchestration, working on diverse genres and styles of film music.

A New Chapter: Joining the Grammy Academy

I’m thrilled to announce that this October marks a significant milestone in my career: my first opportunity to vote as a member of the Recording Academy. In July, I was honored to be invited to join this prestigious institution as a voting member for the Grammy Awards.
This new role comes with both excitement and responsibility. I hope to serve the Academy well, using my vote to recognize excellence across all genres of music. Moreover, I’m committed to using this platform to promote and amplify the voices of minority artists, ensuring that the rich diversity of our musical landscape is fully represented and celebrated.
As I embark on this new chapter, I remain dedicated to my craft, continually pushing the boundaries of orchestration while embracing the evolving landscape of music creation and recognition.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Crucial Elements for My Success

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Reflecting on my journey, one of the most important qualities has been adaptability. Transitioning from a career as a pianist trained at the Paris Conservatoire to becoming a composer and orchestrator in Hollywood required a willingness to embrace change and pursue new opportunities. I’ve learned that staying open to diverse experiences and continuously seeking knowledge are vital to both personal and professional growth.

Technical Proficiency in Music

Another key area that has significantly impacted my career is my technical proficiency in music. My training at the Paris Conservatoire provided me with a solid foundation in piano and music theory, which has been essential for both composing original pieces and orchestrating works for others. Mastering the intricacies of composition and orchestration has allowed me to create music that resonates with audiences.

Strong Work Ethic and Reliability

While I was working as a music assistant and orchestrator at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions, my strong work ethic was crucial. I consistently delivered whatever was asked of me, no matter how challenging the task may have been. My commitment to excellence and reliability ensured that I met deadlines and exceeded expectations, which is essential in a fast-paced industry like film music.

Advice for Aspiring Composers and Orchestrators

Embrace Continuous Learning: I encourage anyone starting their journey to stay open to new experiences and educational opportunities, even if they seem unrelated to your current path. My own shift from being a pianist to focusing on film music illustrates the value of following your passion and being willing to start anew.

Develop a Strong Technical Foundation: Invest time in mastering your craft. Whether through formal education or self-study, having a solid understanding of music theory, composition, and orchestration is essential.

Build and Nurture Professional Relationships: Seek out internships, mentorships, and collaborative opportunities. In the film music industry, personal connections can be incredibly valuable, often leading to recommendations and new projects.

Cultivate Integrity and Honesty: I believe that integrity is crucial for long-term success in an industry where relationships and reputation matter greatly.

Be Open to Criticism: Use feedback as a tool for improvement. Being receptive to constructive criticism has helped me grow as a composer and orchestrator.

Success in this field often comes from a combination of talent, hard work, and perseverance. My journey from a pianist at the Paris Conservatoire to a successful composer and orchestrator in Hollywood is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and continuously striving for improvement.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am open to collaborating with new talent and up-and-coming directors in the film industry. I enjoy working with creative individuals who have a unique vision and a passion for storytelling. I believe that a strong partnership between a director’s artistic direction and a composer’s musical interpretation can elevate a project and create memorable cinematic experiences.

I’m particularly interested in projects that explore innovative narratives and fresh concepts. If you’re a director looking to enhance your film with a tailored musical score, I would love to hear about your vision.

I’m excited to share that I was recently nominated for Best Original Score at the IndieX Film Festival in Los Angeles. This recognition reinforces my commitment to creating impactful music for films across various genres and scales.

To connect, feel free to visit my website at https://derrickwerle.wixsite.com/werle and use the contact form to share details about your project. You can also reach out through my Instagram at @dewerle.

I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to exciting new films together, bringing my experience from both major productions and independent projects to create unique and compelling scores.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://derrickwerle.wixsite.com/werle
• Instagram: dewerle
• Other: https://hans-zimmer.com/discography/239